THE DIAMOND DISEASE
THE DIAMOND-LIKE DISEASE.
Reading through my notes this evening, in preparation for my forthcoming examination, brought to my remembrance an experience I had in one of my oral examination with an external examiner - pathology orals, to be precise.
In veterinary school, at the end of a session, external examiners (that is, lecturers from a different school) are always called upon to examine students and on this beautiful day (I called it beautiful cos I performed well, lol), the examiner asked a very strange question.. strange to others but not so strange to me.
The reason why it wasn't strange to me was simple.. I was banking dearly on that orals to pass the course well and I was in class when Professor Sambo mentioned something related to the question the external examiner asked.. in fact, it was the exact answer.
We entered the office in groups of five and when it was my group's turn, we were asked to sit and then the man looked at us and popped the question - "What's the name of the disease known as Diamond skin disease?". Everywhere went silent, even if a pin drops, the sound would be more than that of clinging cymbals.. other students in the group didn't know it and immediately it was my turn to speak, I simply said "Erysipelothrix infection" and that was it. It was called Diamond skin disease because the lesion is like the shape of a diamond.
Now this is it.. I knew the name of the disease and even the species of animals that it affects. I even know the causative agent but I never knew it was zoonotic, that is, I never knew it can be transmitted from these animals (Pigs, Sheep) to Human Beings, at least.. not until this evening.
Here is me telling you that Erysipelothrix infection caused by the bacterium Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae is a zoonotic disease that can be transmitted from animals to humans. As a zoonosis, it manifests as erysipeloid, a condition characterized by localized skin infections and cellulitis. This may develop in people who work with infected animals, infected carcasses, or infected animal byproducts. Other, less common manifestations of E rhusiopathiae infection in humans include a generalized cutaneous form and a septicemic form that may involve endocarditis.
The best was to prevent it's occurrence is by ensuring good hygiene. Wash your hands often, especially after coming in contact with animals. Use Gloves and wound dressings where applicable.
NB- Picture gotten from Google.
Reading through my notes this evening, in preparation for my forthcoming examination, brought to my remembrance an experience I had in one of my oral examination with an external examiner - pathology orals, to be precise.
In veterinary school, at the end of a session, external examiners (that is, lecturers from a different school) are always called upon to examine students and on this beautiful day (I called it beautiful cos I performed well, lol), the examiner asked a very strange question.. strange to others but not so strange to me.
The reason why it wasn't strange to me was simple.. I was banking dearly on that orals to pass the course well and I was in class when Professor Sambo mentioned something related to the question the external examiner asked.. in fact, it was the exact answer.
We entered the office in groups of five and when it was my group's turn, we were asked to sit and then the man looked at us and popped the question - "What's the name of the disease known as Diamond skin disease?". Everywhere went silent, even if a pin drops, the sound would be more than that of clinging cymbals.. other students in the group didn't know it and immediately it was my turn to speak, I simply said "Erysipelothrix infection" and that was it. It was called Diamond skin disease because the lesion is like the shape of a diamond.
Now this is it.. I knew the name of the disease and even the species of animals that it affects. I even know the causative agent but I never knew it was zoonotic, that is, I never knew it can be transmitted from these animals (Pigs, Sheep) to Human Beings, at least.. not until this evening.
Here is me telling you that Erysipelothrix infection caused by the bacterium Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae is a zoonotic disease that can be transmitted from animals to humans. As a zoonosis, it manifests as erysipeloid, a condition characterized by localized skin infections and cellulitis. This may develop in people who work with infected animals, infected carcasses, or infected animal byproducts. Other, less common manifestations of E rhusiopathiae infection in humans include a generalized cutaneous form and a septicemic form that may involve endocarditis.
The best was to prevent it's occurrence is by ensuring good hygiene. Wash your hands often, especially after coming in contact with animals. Use Gloves and wound dressings where applicable.
NB- Picture gotten from Google.
